VFW Auxiliary 1796

06/15/2026

Auxiliary members…

We are less than a week away from Father’s Day!

Last year, we asked whether you joined the VFW Auxiliary under your dad. This year, we'd like to know if your father is an Auxiliary member and/or if an important dad in your life (husband, son, brother, friend, etc.) is in the VFW Auxiliary - we would love to celebrate him with you!

Email ([email protected]) or DM us a photo and/or leave a note in the comments shouting out your favorite Auxiliary father figure no later than Friday, June 19 at 3pm central time! We would love to share on Sunday!

06/14/2026

Today is Flag Day!

Flag Day has been observed for more than 150 years, but its origins can be traced all the way back to June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress declared, "The Flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation."

In 1861, a celebration of the American Flag in Hartford, Connecticut focused on the Americanization of immigrant children, in 1889 the principal of a free kindergarten for the poor in New York City started a Flag Day initiative that caught the eye of the State Department of Education, and in 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin, proposed a resolution to the city of Philadelphia to observe June 14 as Flag Day (unfortunately, as she was a woman, this was largely ignored). Presidents Wilson and Coolidge, in 1916 and 1927, issued proclamations declaring June 14 Flag Day, but it was not until 1949 that President Truman signed it into law.

The VFW Auxiliary considers observances of Flag Day and of the American Flag itself an important part of the Americanism Program. Past and present traditions involving the Flag have included distributing them to immigrants who celebrating their new citizenship, participating in Flag retirement ceremonies alongside the VFW, welcoming visiting National Presidents with an Aisle of Flags, replacing tattered or faded Flags flying in front of local businesses, placing Flags on veterans' graves over Memorial Day weekend, carrying Flags during parades and teaching children about the history and meaning of the American Flag in schools through picture books and youth programs.

Happy Flag Day from the VFW Auxiliary!

06/12/2026

Sharing on behalf of Northern Arizona VA Health Care System.

06/06/2026

Today marks the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on the shores of Normandy. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, D-Day acted as a major turning point in liberating Europe from N**i control. We remember today those who lost their lives and pay tribute.

Fewer than 1% of those who stormed the beaches that day or fought in Operation Overlord, the Normandy battle that ensued, lasting nearly three months, are still living. We keep them in our thoughts today, too, as we extend to each our deepest gratitude.

Lastly, we remember those who returned home but are no longer with us. You were our VFW elders, our heroes, our family, our friends. You are forever in our hearts.

"You are about to embark on the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you… I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle." - Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

"They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate." - President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

06/02/2026

June is PTS(D) Awareness Month.

While post-traumatic stress does not solely affect veterans, veterans are statistically more likely than the general public to suffer the effects of PTS(D), with a documented 6% of male veterans and 13% of female veterans experiencing it in their lifetimes (though actual numbers may be substantially higher, as many of those who struggle with post-traumatic stress do not seek diagnosis or treatment). The number of veterans diagnosed with PTS(D) is higher among those who've served in recent conflicts (for example, up to 29% of Iraqi Freedom veterans) than those who served nearly a century ago (3% of WWII and Korean War veterans) but it is important to remember that what we now know as PTS(D) was known by a number of other names in the past: "Shell Shock," "Battle Fatigue," "Soldier's Heart," "Combat Stress Reaction" and even the misleading "Nostalgia."

“Asking for support is not waving a white flag, it is a tactical decision to stay in the fight for your family, your future and your life,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore.

As a VFW Auxiliary members, you can help by knowing the signs, memorizing the Veterans Crisis Line number and sharing resources with those in need. Use the linked articles below to get started.

The VFW is shining a spotlight on PTS(D) this June. Read their article here: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2026/6/vfw-highlights-importance-of-mental-health-this-national-ptsd-awareness-month

The VA shares the basics of PTS(D), including signs:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp

The VA also has linked resources for those who need help:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

For those having suicidal thoughts or feelings, or feelings of hopelessness, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7.
Just dial 988, then press 1.

For a brief history on the usage of PTSD versus older terms like shell shock, see this History Channel article:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-ptsd-and-shell-shock

05/24/2026

05/23/2026

Remember all who paid the price of our Freedom.

05/08/2026

Country Fried Steak dinner always a HIT!! Come on over, get your dinner and enjoy the music.

05/08/2026

Thank you! 🙏🏽🇺🇸

Are you a military spouse? Did you know that Military Spouse Appreciation Day is always celebrated the Friday before Mother's Day?

Do something special today for the military spouses who support our service members while they keep our country safe!

"I finally understood what true love meant... love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be." Nicholas Sparks, Dear John.